My 30 seconds with Michelle Obama

I have never had an opportunity to meet a seated president or first lady so you can imagine my thrill when my husband told me we were going to the White House. The show he produces has a man named Dean Karnazes running across America to raise money and awareness for the charity Action For Healthy Kids, and Dean was going to run to the White House with about 100 local school children. As this is a cause very close to the First Lady’s heart, its no surprise that she was going to be there.

As the day approached, I planned out what I was going to wear and what I was going to say to Michelle Obama when I met her. She is a mom, we both have two daughters and our husbands are the same age. We are practically twins! Destined to be girlfriends

Then I found out that I too had to “run” to the White House – a mile and a half to be exact – AND I had to wear a specific t-shirt with a big “Regis and Kelly” logo on it. And it really didn’t fit. Add to that my pasty white legs sticking out of my shorts and you pretty much get the complete opposite of what I had planned to look like.

On the big day it was hot and sunny in Washington. By the time we trotted up to the White House with Dean, Kelly Ripa and a bunch of really excited kids (including my own girls) I was dripping, yes dripping with sweat (goodbye tasteful make-up I had carefully applied) and realized that spin class just isn’t cutting it as an effective cardio workout.

Mrs Obama was barefoot on the White House lawn looking regal and ready to high five the kids as they crossed the finish line. She ended up hugging them all instead and making everyone feel so welcome.

After speeches by Kelly and Mrs O, my husband brought me over to introduce me. This was it! The beginning of a great friendship. Below is the transcript of what was said.

Michael: “Mrs Obama this is my wife Laurie.”

Laurie and Michelle in unison “Hi. So nice to meet you.”

Michelle “Thank you so much for being here today”

Laurie “Thank YOU for having us.”

And then it happened. Mrs Obama hugged me. She hugged me like a girlfriend.

What I didn’t realize is that she was ready to move on at that point. I scanned my memory for my perfect conversation starter.

“Mrs Obama did you know that our husbands have the same birthday and they are both turning 50 this year?”

Yup. Thats what I came up with. The big reveal that would bond us as girlfriends.

She smiled. “Oh really? Wow Michael you look younger than the president.”

And that was it. The moment was over. She was lovely and gracious and everything you could possibly want her to be. All I wanted was for it to last a little longer but I realized she needed to move on so she could make everyone else feel as special as I did.

But not before we got a picture! “Mrs Obama would you like to be in our Christmas card photo?” I thought but did not say.

“Click”

I have posted the picture so you can see that even though my eyes were closed (!!!) it captured a memory that my family and I will never forget.